AHMEDABAD — Virender Sehwag cracked his first century in more than two years as India came up with a solid batting display to take control of the first Test against England here Thursday. Sehwag, who has been woefully out of form for long, notched up his 23rd Test century with a run-a-ball 117, while Cheteshwar Pujara was just two runs short of his ton as the hosts cruised to 323 for four at close on the opening day. Giving Pujara company was comeback man Yuvraj Singh, who was batting on 24, on a dry Sardar Patel track. Off-spinner Graeme Swann did the damage for the visitors, scalping all the four wickets that fell on Day 1, and pegged India back to some extent after the roaring start Sehwag provided to the team. Sachin Tendulkar (13) and Virat Kohli (19) could not capitalize on the 134-run partnership for the first wicket between Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir (45). Opener Sehwag, playing his 99th Test, blasted 16 fours and a six in his usual belligerent fashion, helping him to his first century since November 2010. Coverage blackout International news agencies suspended coverage of the Test series after Indian cricket authorities refused to lift restrictions on photo agencies. News outlets said they would not be filing any text or pictures from the four-match series after the Board of Cricket Control for India (BCCI) barred photo agencies such as Getty Images and Action Images. English media organizations such as the Daily Telegraph and the Press Association also said they would support the protest. While the BCCI has only withheld accreditation from photo agencies, other news organizations fear the move sets a dangerous precedent. The BCCI is to make a limited number of its own images available during the series. — Agencies
